Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Conjunctival Commensal Isolation and Identification in Mice
Published on: May 1, 2021
[Microbial keratitis: a 4 year study of risk factors and traditional/complementary medicine in Oman]
A Bialasiewicz1, R Shenoy, A Thakral
1Department of Ophthalmology and School of Ophthalmic Technicians, Sultan Qaboos University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 , Al Khod/Muscat, Oman. alexander@squ.edu.om
Purpose:
To determine the risk factors and the influence of complementary/alternative medicines (CAM) for infectious keratitis in a monsoon-free region of the Sultanate of Oman.
Study Design:
Retrospective single center cohort study.
Outcome Measures:
Demographic data, risk factors, and pathogens.
Methods:
Patients with purulent stromal keratitis admitted from 2001-2004 were evaluated for clinical and microbiological data, CAM use, duration of hospitalization, and outcome of treatment.
Statistics:
chi(2)-test, Z-test.
Results:
A total of 320 patients (326 eyes) out of 7,524 admissions had severe infectious stromal keratitis requiring inpatient treatment. The average age was 35.1+/-2.5 years (range 1.5-63 years), the male:female ratio was 2:3 in the age group >or=13 years and 2:1 in the age group
Conclusions:
Trachoma, trauma and contact lens overwear are significant risk factors for infectious keratitis in Oman and correlate with specific age groups. Delay in treatment due to the first-line utilization of CAM showed a significant adverse impact on outcome.
